Welcome to The Lunch Belle, a food website/blog that views the New York City + Los Angeles dining scenes through the lens - and belly - of a highly opinionated, critical, adorably quirky, and culinary-obsessed thirty-something year old.

Crunchy and thin, salty, light, guilt-free (they're gluten free AND non-GMO), and absolutely delicious - my coworkers and I have been going BANANAS over these crackers! After having tried four varieties, including Crispy Sea Salt - Multi-Grain - and Cheddar Cheese, my favorite would have to be Everything. Similar to the namesake bagel, the Everything cracker is chock-full of sesame seeds, caraway, poppy and, in an extra-healthy twist, quinoa seeds!

Note: I do not have Celiac Disease or follow a gluten-free diet. I begrudgingly tried these crackers assuming that, because they are "gluten free," they'd taste like cardboard. Boy, was I wrong!!

This is the food truck of all food trucks, isn't it? To be honest, I don't think I had ever heard of anything other than a "taco truck" prior to Kogi. Had you?

Being that Kogi started right here in LA, I had to pay tribute to the "OG of street food" by paying it an inaugural visit.

...With none other than The Kimchi Quesadilla: Two perfectly blistered, buttery flour tortillas were "filled to the gills with melting jack and cheddar cheeses and caramelized kimchi" before being slapped together and topped with classic salsa roja and sesame seed crush.

What, hater, does the melding of Mexican and Korean cuisines not sound appealing? Well, you couldn't be more wrong. Because this seemingly crazy concoction of flavors and textures is sheer fcuking DYNAMITE!

It's not that I dislike bananas, but they're not my "go to" fruit. I'd say I'm much more of a pineapple or other type of tropical fruit kind of gal. However, when it comes to the Banana Cream Pie at The Apple Pan, I am a born-again believer. The buttery, slightly-sweet crust is lathered with a thin layer of banana pudding, piled high with *fresh* banana slices, crowned with another layer of pudding, then finished with homemade whipped cream. Absolutely delicious!

For those of you who don't know, Shophouse is like an Asian version of Chipotle. So instead of filling a flour tortilla with Mexican ingredients, you're filling a rice bowl with pan-Asian vegetables and protein. And the winner on the menu? The pork + chicken meatballs.

I'd be a liar if I said that I wasn't terrified about ordering meatballs containing chicken (upon my first visit to Shophouse). I mean, it's just. Such. A. Boring. Protein. Why wouldn't they make the 'balls with beef? Whatever. The takeaway is that they're shockingly moist, juicy and, as odd as it is to say, velvety. These morsels are bursting with so much flavor that I find myself curiously craving them on a weekly basis.

Farsi menu at Shamshiri GrillIn an effort to try something new, I ordered a glass of "doogh" to go alongside my meal. Doogh, a savory yogurt beverage that tastes very similar to buttermilk, is served over ice and finished with mint. It's tangy, slightly salty, filling, and quite delicious.

How fitting: My NYC-bound flight number was "212." It absolutely had to be a sign, right?

Upon checking in for my crappy row 30/middle seat at the United Airlines kiosk, a prompt asked me if I would be interested in upgrading to First Class for $250. Since I was flying on "miles," all I paid for my round trip ticket was $11.20, a tax fee of some sort. $250 for a First Class upgrade on a 6-hour flight meant: Free access to the airport lounge, a humongous seat that doubled as a "flat bed," a warm meal, extra space, comfort, and free flowing champagne. Sounds kind of like a rap video, right? I couldn't click "yes" to the cabin upgrade quickly enough...

From security, I was ushered to United Airlines' airport lounge. Spacious, clean, and comfortable, the only thing missing was bar service. But, then again, it was only 6 AM...

United Airlines' Lounge at LAXAnd once onboard, breakfast was served...

United Airlines' First Class breakfast service: Sausage links, steamed spinach, broccoli + cheese souffle, scrambled eggs with red pepper sauceWhat's a long journey without some shut-eye? I slept like a baby atop my "flat bed!" It was more comfortable than I could have ever hoped for or imagined! After all, I wouldn't be getting much sleep in the city that never sleeps...

Can you spot my toes?View of the Atlantic, about 5-minutes from landing in NYC...

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I feel like the cab drivers in NYC are either silent/have the personality of a fruit fly - or they're exceptionally talkative, engaging, and funny. From JFK to Manhattan, my cabbie was the latter. "(In his heavy Urdu accent) I live in a Jamaican neighborhood. That is such sexy English, Mon. Sexy! Sometimes, I try to talk like them. They call all of the ladies 'Ma,' you know? I've said that to a couple of my customers. Like, 'hey Ma!'" What an entertaining - and totally 'New York' - way to re-enter New York!

In a twist of fate, or just sheer convenience to the wedding venue, one of the reserved room blocks for Yan's nuptials was at a Hilton located on my old block. I couldn't not stay there!

The tall, reddish building in the background was where I hung my hat for 7 years!.

Caravan Stylist Studio, is an innovative wardrobe and beauty studio that pairs actresses, tastemakers and media influencers with top fashion designers and beauty experts located at the Carlton Hotel in New York City.

Each week, Claudine DeSola, owner of Caravan, partners with hundreds of fashion designers to select clothing and accessories for Caravan’s guests. In addition, a full-time beauty expert provides clients with a host of other complimentary services, including hair styling, makeup application, mini skincare-spa treatments and nail design.

Upon my visit, I had beauty expert, Valerie Star, give me a "makeup-over."

She did an incredibly amazing job, if I do say so myself! For a lazy gal who only wears "full makeup" on special occasions, this was the ultimate in pampering. I wish Valerie could work her magic on me everyday!

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For dinner, I met up with two of my girlfriends for some delicious Greek fare atEthos Galleria.

Greek salad

Caravan Stylist Studio, is an innovative wardrobe and beauty studio that pairs actresses, tastemakers and media influencers with top fashion designers and beauty experts located at the Carlton Hotel in New York City.

Each week, Claudine DeSola, owner of Caravan, partners with hundreds of fashion designers to select clothing and accessories for Caravan’s guests. In addition, a full-time beauty expert provides clients with a host of other complimentary services, including hair styling, makeup application, mini skincare-spa treatments and nail design.

- See more at: http://www.caravanstyliststudio.com/#sthash.RQJjQSSh.dpuf

Caravan Stylist Studio, is an innovative wardrobe and beauty studio that pairs actresses, tastemakers and media influencers with top fashion designers and beauty experts located at the Carlton Hotel in New York City.

Each week, Claudine DeSola, owner of Caravan, partners with hundreds of fashion designers to select clothing and accessories for Caravan’s guests. In addition, a full-time beauty expert provides clients with a host of other complimentary services, including hair styling, makeup application, mini skincare-spa treatments and nail design.

- See more at: http://www.caravanstyliststudio.com/#sthash.RQJjQSSh.dpuf

Caravan Stylist Studio, is an innovative wardrobe and beauty studio that pairs actresses, tastemakers and media influencers with top fashion designers and beauty experts located at the Carlton Hotel in New York City.

Each week, Claudine DeSola, owner of Caravan, partners with hundreds of fashion designers to select clothing and accessories for Caravan’s guests. In addition, a full-time beauty expert provides clients with a host of other complimentary services, including hair styling, makeup application, mini skincare-spa treatments and nail design.

- See more at: http://www.caravanstyliststudio.com/#sthash.RQJjQSSh.dpuf..

Good night, NYC!

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Saturday, February 7th

Saturday morning came much quicker than I could have anticipated. I met my cousin, Larry, and friend, Jeremy, for a quick bite before spinning off the carb-calories at SoulCycle.

Good Stuff Diner: Breakfast bagel'wich.

For brunch, I headed uptown to meet some girlfriends at one of my favorites, The Smith.

We raised a toast and clinked our glasses...

The Smith: Blood Orange MargaritaAnd I made sure to indulge in two of the Atlantic's greatest gifts to humans: "Montauk Pearl" oysters and lobster (in the form of a traditional lobster roll).

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After visiting with two more friends and sneaking in a quick post-brunch snooze, I made my way over to Little Sal's for an informal tasting.

Little Sal's: A look insideAfter ponying up to the bar, I asked the staff a roster of questions. One of the most important being, "Do you have a happy hour?" I learned that, although having only been open for a few weeks, Little Sal's did, in fact, have happy hour (menu coming soon!):

4-6 PM

$20 bottles of wine

Food and drink specials

While awaiting the arrival of my entree, I noshed on buttery, grilled toast points that were accompanied by Sicilian-fig caponata and basil pesto (for dipping and dunking).

Little Sal's: Grilled and buttered toast points with Sicilian-fig caponata, basil pestoI chose the Linguine alle Vongole (pasta with clams) for my main course. In addition to being topped with manila clams, the noodles were intertwined with a generous amount of briny bits!

There were so many items I didn't get to sample on Little Sal's dinner menu that stood out, namely the Branzino Oreganata with Pickled Grapes & Fennel and the Meatballs with Red Sauce. Looks like I'll just have to return upon my next visit NYC!

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As if one Italian dinner wasn't enough, I met ten of my girlfriends for 'round two' just 45-minutes post my tasting at Little Sal's! We enjoyed a bountiful, family-style supper at newish downtown favorite, Bar Primi, followed by cocktails at Saxon + Parole.

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Sunday, February 8th

On Sunday night, I was thrilled to get to celebrate the wedding of a dear friend of mine and his beautiful bride. The ceremony and reception took place at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, which is a fantastic venue overlooking the glacial Hudson River. And the icing on the cake? Famed caterer, Abigail Kirsch, handles the food/beverage for the event space! Win win.

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Monday, February 9th

Monday was busy; I spent the first half catching up with friends and colleagues, and the second half with the NYPD. That's right, my ATM card was stolen and I had to file a police report per my bank's request. I was shuffled between two precincts in completely different parts of town and, because of this, was not able to visit my old coworkers/office. Thankfully, dinner at Root & Bone with two of my besties helped brighten up my crappy day.

Just like any other Southern supper, we kicked off our meal with scratch-made biscuits. This version was served with delectable, warm honey-roasted chicken jus for dipping, plus sesame seeds and Maldon salt to taste/season.

We split our three entrees, which included: Shrimp & Grits, Fried Chicken & Waffles, and the most amazing mussels I've had, to date.

This meal was, without a doubt, one of the best that I've had in recent memory. Everything, from start to finish, was outstanding. What a delicious way to end a vacation!

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Tuesday, February 10th

And just as quickly as my weekend jaunt flew by, it abruply came to an end.

Before I left for the airport, I made a pitstop at my favorite bagel spot, The Corner Cafe, to grab my final breakfast and snag 2-dozen for my coworkers in LA. What a treat that would be!

It was really hard to get in to my JFK-bound cab and watch NYC get smaller and smaller as we drove further away, not knowing the next time I'd be back...

My homecoming was as amazing, scary, sad, exilerating, and torturing as I had imagined. It proved to me that I love NYC more than ever and, whenever that time may be, I cannot wait to come back for more!

My first meal of this "New Year" was kicked off in London. Technically, I was returning to the US on January 1st but, still, I woke up in the UK. So that counts!

Save for that one time in 9th grade when my friend and I flew "First Class" with her father to Orlando, I have never experienced anything fancier than "Economy Plus." So, as you can only imagine, I had no idea what I was in for when I snagged a last-minute upgrade to Virgin Atlantic's "Upper Class" cabin...

For my entree, I chose the Indian meal: Yellow curry with paneer, saag with mushrooms and corn, basmati rice.

And for dessert, the Sticky Toffee Cake...

After taking a 2-hour nap on my fabulous "lie flat" bed, I was pleasantly awakened by the clinking sounds from the mugs and saucers during afternoon English tea service. And you know I wasn't about to go back to sleep and miss out!

English tea, assorted finger sandwiches and sweet bites, jam and clotted creamCall me a yokel, but I was very impressed with the food and beverage services that I enjoyed in Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class cabins and lounges. Well done, Mr. Branson! Well done!

OMFG. This was, without a doubt, one of the best pasta dishes I've eaten. Ever. From those toothsome, perfectly al-dente rigatoni noodles, to that rich and creamy tomato gravy specked with salty pork nibs, this pasta makes Capo "destination worthy" in and of itself.

The only thing not sexy about this dish? Its $26 price tag. Le sigh...

Looking back on my trip to Berlin, I realized that, not once did I indulge in Germany's most famous edible: Sausage! Having made up for my international faux-pas last Friday night, I would be willing to bet that LINK's "Lake Tahoe" sandwich could easily hold its own against any Deutschland rival.

Since I'm not a big poultry fan, I subbed the chicken link with pork (...good Jewish girl that I am). Enveloped within a freshly-baked roll, the juicy wiener was topped with applewood-smoked bacon, crispy onion rings, and a ridiculously delicious apricot mustard.

Enjoy some exciting snippets from my life of late...in words, pictures, and forkfuls. TGIF, y'all!

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The Closing Belle

One of my baller coworkers was able to get our team floor access at the NYSE (NY Stock Exchange) to watch the closing bell. Live!

New York Stock ExchangeWhile I found our 'field trip' exhilarating and awe-inspiring, the highlight, at least for me, was seeing her majesty, Maria Bartiromo, in person. And she smiled at me!

Maria Bartiromo!...

NYU

So, I didn't tell anyone besides my family and the two folks whom I asked to write letters of recommendations on my behalf but, in January, I applied to the Food Studies Masters program at NYU. And, after almost two months of awaiting my application's fate, I learned that I was accepted!

A big "thanks" to my family for sending me this NYU hoodie!Beginning this fall, I will be a part-time co-ed (night classes)!

Note: Kaffe 1668, especially the location across the street from the Citigroup buildings (388 and 390 Greenwich Street), is a FABULOUS place to meet hot finance dudes. It's swarming!

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Locanda Verde

Carbo-loading. It's the only way to go at Locanda Verde. At least for me. On a recent visit, I was reminded of how incredibly delicious the gratis, house-made focaccia (served after the table has ordered), Sheep's Milk Ricotta appetizer, and Lamb Meatball sliders are. We're talking "destination-worthy" here, folks.

Locanda Verde: Lamb Meatball sliders...

Terroir

And, speaking of meatballs, I ordered Terroir's version between glasses of red wine. Large, moist, and almost perfectly seasoned (I had to add salt), the meaty trio was served in an earthenware soup-like crock amidst a pool of robust marinara. Melted parmesan cheese blanketed each 'ball like the early winter's first dusting of snow.

What would have made the meatballs even more perfect would have been a warm side of bread for dipping and dunking.

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Escape from Camp 14

Ever since I was a child, I went through phases where I became incredibly obsessed with one specific topic/religion/person/nationality. This typically lasted anywhere from 6-months to a few years. From desperately wanting my name to be changed to "Amanda" - to Catholicism, Russia, Pearl Jam, Tool (the band, people!), and NYC...I definitely have/had a broad range of interests/fascinations. I'll never forget, at about 10 or 11 years old, when I fell in love with a ski lift operator named "Winston" at Ski Apache, a ski resort that is run by the Mescalero Indians. My parents still remind me about my $25 donation to a Native American Indian fund, who later sent me a "dream catcher" as a token of their thanks. It hangs in my closet to this day!

Right now, I'm completely fascinated/mystified/horrified by North Korea. A few weeks ago, I purchased a riveting book called "Escape from Camp 14," which details one man's remarkable odyssey from North Korea to freedom in the West. There really are no words to describe the fluctuating range of emotions I experience as I eagerly - and suspensefully - turn each page. I cannot put the thing down!

Read this now!! "Escape from Camp 14"...

Shanghai Asian Cuisine

With Seamless Web's 15%-off deal yesterday, some coworkers and I took advantage of the discount and ordered Chinese food from Shanghai Asian Cuisine. Being that the colleagues who suggested this restaurant hail from Shanghai, I more than trusted their selection.

In an effort to sample as much as I could in one sitting, I ordered three items:

Xiao long bao (pork soup dumplings)

Shanghai Asian Cuisine: Xiao long baoQuite possibly, the best xiao long bao that I've had outside of China...minus the fact that no vinegar sauce was served on the side. Otherwise, the dumpling skins were thin - the broth was salty and flavorful - and the pork meatballs were juicy and decadent.

Shanghai-style rice cakes (fried)

Shanghai Asian Cuisine: Shanghai-style rice cakesMy love affair with rice cakes began with Korean food. I love their gummy texture and, in the case of the oval/oblong shape that's shown above, the ease of combining all key components (veggies, protein, sauce) with each forkful/bite. Rice kernels can be so tedious!

The soy-based, salty brown gravy - combined with bite-sized pieces of braised beef and shrimp, plus onions and bok choy - made for an incredibly delicious meal. I literally had to get up and walk away from my desk to stop myself from eating the entire portion.

Sesame rice balls (sweet)

Shanghai Asian Cuisine: Sesame rice ballsSurrounded by a gluttonous rice dough/shell was a molten-like core that oozed with sweet black sesame paste. The "balls" were served in water (...god knows why).

I'm thrilled to have been introduced to Shanghai Asian Cuisine by my coworkers and cannot wait to reorder next week!!

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Duane Park Patisserie

This small, charming bakery has been on my "must try it" list for at least a year. I had read somewhere that they carried a version of Southern-style petit fours (see picture, below, for a better idea), and that's all it took for me to add them to my coveted list. So, on my way to meet someone for a drink last week, I stopped in and grabbed one! Afterall, Balthazar Bakery's version have become so almond-y. Blech!

Photo found on Duane Park Patisserie's websiteFor $3/piece, Duane Park Patisserie's version doesn't come cheap...but it's the best Southern-style petit four that I've had outside of NM Cafe in Dallas. And that's saying A LOT. There wasn't a trace of overly-fragrant almond marzipan, which I find to be the "petit four deal breaker."

Since I'm transitioning in to a new-ish role at work, my schedule is kind of all over the place. That, paired with the fact that I've just begun a month-long "academy" at Barry's Bootcamp (which is a 5x/week commitment - every weekday morning at 6am). Needless to say, I'm exhausted. But I'm also really excited about the new challenges ahead.

So, because I'm a bit pressed for time, I thought that, at least until I get in to a routine, I will start posting a summary of my favorite eats/drinks/activities/etc. from the week prior. Hopefully, every Monday or Tuesday...

I remember reading somewhere that Jamba Juice's oatmeal was" really good and way better than Starbucks" which, to be honest, didn't really mean anything to me. I typically hate oatmeal. And I think that the food at Starbucks - minus the cake pops - is sub par.

Sick of my usual routine - which included a Nature Valley granola bar - I decided to give Jamba Juice's oatmeal a shot. Unbeknownst to me, it happened to be "$1 oatmeal day" on the morning that I stopped in the store (which, by the way, happens *every* Wednesday!). What an incentive, right? I mean, what did I really have to lose for $1?

I chose the "Brown Sugar Crumble" because it was the lowest-calorie of the trio (registering at 220 calories/single serving), which also includes Blueberry/Blackberry and Fresh Banana. Upon opening the container, my first observation was how scrumptiously attractive the oatmeal appeared. By that, I mean it didn't look like a grey glop. Beneath a crust of fresh brown sugar was a heaping helping of oatmeal. I liked how visibly textured it appeared - you know, dispersed with tons of tiny lumpy-bits.

Warm and comforting, just like that favorite blanket on your sofa, this transcendent bowl of slow-cooked porridge did not disappoint. Since that first bite nearly 6-weeks ago, I eat this delicious oatmeal every single morning. It's actually what I look forward to when I wake up!

"Spin is in." And I have always bled Flywheel's black and blue. However, in anticipation of a friend's upcoming birthday at Soul Cycle, I figured that I should take one class to familiarize myself prior to her event.

I wanted to hate it. So bad. I wanted to walk out of the studio post-class - roll my eyes - and feel reassured that Flywheel reigned supreme. Well, that didn't happen. I found Soul Cycle to be very different, but in a really refreshing and positive way. Without a calibrated number on your bike, you don't feel like you're battling yourself or competing against the girl next to you. Because, at Flywheel, you're only as good as your last number. Period. And, at least when I spin, I just want to lose myself in the rhythm of the music and enjoy the dark serenity surrounding me. Additionally, at Soul Cycle, other body parts are incorporated in to the exercise beyond just your legs. It's a winning formula.

This does not mean that I'm a convert, it just means that I appreciate and respect the differences between Soul Cycle and Flywheel.

Spicy Tuna Tartare If you love the contents of a well made spicy tuna roll, then this appetizer is for you: A rectangular mold of lightly-bound tuna tartare is topped with a crunchy slaw and fried wonton strips for texture, and finished with an agave-soy jus. Absolute decadence and sheer perfection.

Cherry/Chocolate Croissant Pudding This was, without a doubt, one of the most memorable desserts I've had of late. Imagine, if you will, a ramekin filled with warm, gooey, intensely-rich "bread pudding." Only, instead of day-old bread, Millesime's version is made with chocolate/cherry croissant scraps. And is crowned with a scoop of chocolate ice cream that nearly liquefies when placed atop the warm pudding. Heavenly...

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7-11's "Vermont Blueberry" coffee I know, I know. This sounds completely asinine, gnarly and, in all honesty, makes absolutely no sense. Blueberry coffee? Trust me, I was so geeked out when I saw this flavor at the 7-11 on 7th Avenue...that I had to taste it! And guess what? It's actually *really* good! Seriously, if you see this wacky blend at your local 7-11, give it a try and please let me know what you think!

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A Taste of Modern Luxury: Celebrity Cruises Pops Up in New York City Of any "pop up" that I've ever attended, this was, by far, the best. Held at The Kitchen, the team from Celebrity Cruises "came to land," if you will, to showcase cocktails from resident mixologist, Junior Merino, and culinary creations prepared by Chef John Suley.

About 3/4 of the way finished with my second cocktail, Michelle and I were whisked to our table for dinner. Let me just say that if the three courses we enjoyed are anything akin to what is served onboard, I am confident that a Celebrity Cruise will be in my *very* near future...

It happens about every 2-months. I get this overwhelming urge to escape. An itch, if you will, to break free from the never-ending crowds in the streets - the nauseating, ear drum-piercing horns and ambulance sirens - that uber-narcissistic, "me, me, me" girlfriend that you just want to punch (Oh, come on, we alllllll have at least one of those!) - dating drama - emails that I need to respond to - and all of my other petty, "white people problems" grievances.

Question: How much physical distance do you think it takes to really feel as though you've escaped? Trust me, it's much less than you think. Are you ready? The answer is - wait for it - just about 11 miles!

On Saturday afternoon, I had lunch plans with one of my most loyal readers and her boyfriend. After going back and forth over cuisine options and neighborhoods, we unanimously decided to head to Flushing's Chinatown (Queens). Why leave the borough for Chinese food, you ask? Well, because a) I had never been to Flushing's famous Chinatown (How fcuking embarrassing is that?), b) it's the second-largest Chinatown outside of Asia, and c) I'm obsessed with Chinese food.

We secured a legit parking spot close to the Queens Botanical Garden and walked up Flushing's Main Street. The first businesses we passed along the way were Middle Eastern. From shop windows showcasing brightly colored saris, to markets carrying a bountiful array of fragrant spices and exotic ingredients, it was like Christmas morning for my eyes and nose. I even picked up a Pakistani newspaper (...so that I could later view its restaurant listings).

As Arabic writing on shops and restaurants slowly morphed in to Mandarin, we found ourselves in the heart of Flushing's Chinatown. My first observation was how much more civilized, clean, and spacious it felt compared to Manhattan's Chinatown. More notable, however, was the fact that there was room - and air - to breathe. People were not packed in the streets - or the shops - or restaurants like sardines. And, speaking of sardines, the air did not reek of dead fish.

As we made our way further up Main Street, we found ourselves chatting with a pair of teens who recommended that we dine at "the place with the long line...by the restaurant with the green awning." So, armed with that information, we hooked a left, followed by a sharp right on to Prince Street, and grabbed three seats at a communal dining table at Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao.

We ordered with the mindset that we would be "restaurant hopping." Obviously, we wanted to taste offerings from as many establishments as our stomachs would allow. But, you know, it's a funny thing: Whenever I order dishes at a Chinese restaurant, my eyes always end up being much bigger than my stomach. Moderation, in any sense of the word, is just not something I have mastered...

Pork & Vegetable Wonton in Casserole While I'm not quite sure what they mean by "casserole," the wontons were served over a delightfully thick, peanut-based soy sauce. Perhaps "casserole" is intended to mean "thick" or "abundant?" Who knows. I could tell that the wontons had been assembled onsite, as the wrappers were slightly gummy and glutinous, and not pristinely packaged (which is a key observance in trying to decipher whether or not a wonton/dumpling is homemade).

The pork filling was dotted with green flecks, which indicated the presence of either chives or spinach/greens.

Scallion pancakes Buttery and crisp on the outside - soft and doughy on the inside - these savory, scallion-flecked pancakes really hit the spot. Especially since just moments prior, in a fit of gluttonous haze/rage, I purchased a scallion pancake from a street vendor that was beyond bland.

Xiao Long Bao (pork soup dumplings) How could we possibly go to a restaurant - with "Xiao Long Bao" in its lengthy name - and not sample its namesake dish? Served atop a cabbage leaf were six piping-hot pork soup dumplings. I was certainly impressed by the thinner dough/skin exterior, as most dumplings I've had in the US are too thick and gummy. While the interior pork meatball was tasty, I found its surrounding soup to be utterly flavorless.

My idea of the perfect soup dumpling is one where the accompanying soy/vinegar sauce is not necessary for a flavor transformation - only a flavor accentuation. To this day, no one does it better than my beloved Din Tai Fung.

First bite!It's what's on the inside that counts -After what we thought was round one of our restaurant-hopping tour, we headed to Jmart in the New World Mall. Imagine, if you will, 30,000 square feet of pan-Asian grocery-shopping heaven. I awed beautiful, magenta-colored dragon fruit, sampled even more scallion pancakes, spotted an overly-crowded eel tank (I find eels to be quite fascinating creatures), and watched - in my Western-hemisphere horror - as live frogs got their heads chopped off at the butcher's counter. It was a feast for every one of my "vanilla" senses!

Our next stop was at Fay Da Bakery, so that I could get my bubble-tea fix. The woman behind the counter insisted that I try taro-flavored tea, "smoothie" style. This just meant that the tea was blended with ice before being combined with tapioca "bubbles." And, she was right - it was delish! For those of you who don't know, the black dots in the photo, below, are the tapioca "bubbles!"

On the drive back to Manhattan, I couldn't believe how refreshed and renewed - and uncomfortably full - I felt. If only for a couple of hours, I was able to completely immerse myself in Flushing Chinatown's myriad of deliciously affordable and fascinating sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. One of my favorite occurrences that happened repeatedly throughout the day were the low-flying, LaGuardia-bound airplanes landing ridiculously close to where I was standing. Oh, how I wish that I could have just propped myself atop the roof of a car - a-la-Wayne's World - and gawked as the jets touched down at the airport...

If you've not yet been to Flushing's Chinatown, I highly recommend making the 11-mile journey. I cannot think of a better, more affordable way to feel transported to another hemisphere. To forget, if only for a few hours, all of the bullshit that weighs you down just across the East River. To immerse and educate yourself in new cuisines, shopping experiences, and languages. Flushing has inspired me to seek out more cultural pockets across all five of these fabulous boroughs. After all, it is this multitude of diversity that attracted me to New York City in the first place. Shame on me for not having experienced this neighborhood sooner.